Expansion and contraction tool



DaQ 1950 H. 0. LA MONT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 10. 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Dec, 26.. 1950 H D, LA MONT 2,535,078

EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION TOOL Filed Sept. 10. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J V INVENTOR. 46' 707 Jf/fi /Z Eta/564w "9; 51491604416 q Q AffO/PNE) Patented Dec. 26, 1950 STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

My invention relates broadly -to tools,'and more particularly to an improved construction of eX- pansion and contraction tool for 'applying'expa'nsion or contraction forces to structural members.

One'of the objects of my inventionis to provide the construction of expansible and contractabl'e tool for use on structural members which is readily reversible in arrangement for selective use as an expansion or contraction force exerting device.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of tool comprising a minimum number of operating parts and including a rod member with header members removably associated therewith. one of said header members being adjustable along the rod member in 'imparting expansible or contractable forces substantially in alignment with the axis of the rod member.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of expansible and contra'ctable tool including a rod member and a pair of header members associated therewith, in whichone of the header members includes a step-by-step mechanism for adjusting the position'of the said header member along the rod member, the header members being associated with the rod member in such relation that either expansion or contraction forces are exerted by the tool.

Still another object of my invention is to 'provide a construction of expansion and contraction tool including a rod member and header members associated therewith, in which one of the header members is provided with a substantially central fulcrum member against which an actuating lever surrounding the rod member is operative for coaction with associated mechanism in the header for moving the header in step-by-st'ep increments with respect to the rod member.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a construction of expansion and contraction tool including a rod member with header members arranged thereon in which one of the header members includes a housing which incloses a pair of lever members and a pair of coacting spring members, all of which are arranged to enable said header to be adjusted in step-bystep increments with respect to said rod member, and gripped in the adjusted position for continuously exerting an expansion or contraction force with respect to structural members to which the tool may be applied.

Other and further objects of-my invention reside in the construction of expansion and contraction tool as set forth .more fully in the specifi'cation hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the tool of 'my invention applied in the laying of a flooring for exerting a compressive force against a tongue 'and'groov'e finish flooring laid over the sub-flooring; Fig. 2 is aside 'elevational view of the tool applied to a joist for exerting a 'compressive force against flooring laid on the joist where a sub-flooring is not used; Fig. '3 illustrates the tool of my invention used for exerting a compressive force between "stu'dding, joists, etc. for "pressing the studding or joists together in substantially parallel alignment; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view showing the tool of my inventionus'ed in a reverse manner for exerting'an'expan'sive force between'studdi'ng or jo'is'tsfor separating the studding or joists; Figf'5 is 'a'transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 5+5 of Fig. 3; Fig. '6 'is'a side elevational view of the header which constitutes the anchor for the tool in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and "2; Fig. '7 "is a substantially vertical f'secti'onal view through the header of Fig.6.; Fig. '8

. is a transverse sectional view takenisubstan'tially on lines-8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is'a transverse 'sec tional view "taken substantially on 1ine"99 of Fig. 7; Fig. IO is'a sideeleva'tional view of "the adjustablehea'der used'in the tool of my "invention; Fig. 11 is an'elevati'onal view of the internal operating parts of the adjustable header withone section oithe housing removed; Fig. '12 is avi'ewsimilar to'the'view shown in Fig. '11 but illustrating parts of the actuating mechanism of the'adius'tableheader in section; Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken through the adjustable header substantially on line it-430i Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view through the adjustable header taken substantially on line l'4'| 4 of Fig. '11; Fig. 'l'5is a vertical sectional view throughthe adjustable header taken'substantial ly on line 15l5"of"Fig. 12; 'Fig. 16 "i'san enlarged -fragmentary "cross-sectional view taken through the end of operating lever 5 and showing the manner in whichpperating levert encircles the rod membe'r or the tool; 'and Fig. 17 i'si'a rrbnt view of the 'force exerting front end of the adjustable header of the tool of my invention.

My "invention is "directed to a new and useful tool'to be used among other things to press togeth'er s'ection'sof flooring, ceiling or siding'lu'm I her in constructio'nwork and to s'traightens'truc tural members, by providing a new and unique method "of applying pressure, "as 'from "either side of such structural members "for-drawing together 3 or pushing apart such members or for any other similar use.

The tool comprises three major parts, that is, a rod member whose length determines the distance over which extensive or contractive forces may be exerted by the tool; a head member secured to the rod member and forming an anchor or force applicator for the tool, and an adjustable header movable by step-by-step increments along the rod member for adjusting the tool in applying expansive or contractive forces. The adjustable header is constructed in unique manner by providing a substantially hollow housing through which the rod member is slidably extendable. The housing includes a substantially centrally arranged fulcrum with respect to which an operating lever which is apertured for the passage of the rod member is operative. The housing also incloses a pair of operating springs and a gripping lever which coact to maintain the adjustable head in the position on the rod member to which the head is adjusted by step-bystep movement of the operating lever. The important feature of the tool of my invention is the ready reversibility of the tool permitting wide application of the tool in positions where either expansive or contractive forces must be exerted.

Referring to the drawings in detail reference characters I and 2 designate the two half-sections of the housing of the adjustable header used in the tool of my invention. The housing is substantially hollow and the parts l and 2 are interconnected by laterally extending screw members 3. The sections of the housing each contain semi-circular recesses in opposite ends thereof which are aligned, as represented at 2a and 2b in Figs. 11 and 12, to provide passages for the slidable rod member 4. The housing sections l and 2 are also provided with inwardly directed guide portions represented at lo and Id and 2c and 2d which serve to align and guide rod member 4 through the housing.

An operating lever 5 is associated with the adjustable header and is provided with an operating lever handle 6 projecting vertically through an aperture in the housing formed by the coacting recesses 2e and le in the housing sections. The operating lever 5 has a flattened end portion which contains an aperture 5a therein. The aperture 5a is formed in very special manner. Diagonally opposite portions of aperture 5a have substantially semi-cylindrical wall portions 5b and 50, as shown more particularly in Fig. 16, which permit rod member 4 to be gripped in aperture 5a. The extremity of the operating lever 5 has a tongue 5 thereon which projects into a recess 22 formed in the housings l and 2 and pivots about the operating lever fulcrum l2. Diagonally opposite portions of the aperture 5a are inclined at an angle of approximately forming semi-cylindrical inclined faces 5b and 5e. When lever 5 is moved to a position in which the inclined faces 5d and 5e are substantially parallel to the rod 4, the grip exerted by faces 5d and 50 may be released and the lever restored to the initial operating position. The principal gripping function is performed by gripping lever 1 disposed immediately adjacent the operating lever 5 and having an aperture therein with walls 1a substantially conforming with the rod member 4 and snugly fitting around the rod member 4. The gripping lever I has a tongue 1b thereon which projects into the recess 22' formed between the housing sections l and 2 and immediately adjacent the tongue 5f of operating lever 5,

4 thereby keying the gripping lever 1 against rotative displacement within the housing formed by sections I and 2. The operating lever 5a exerts a force against gripping lever l causing it to cant slightly and grip with rod 4 for moving the rod 4 in step-by-step increments. The structure which makes this movement possible is the arrangement of the operating lever fulcrum l2 projecting from the base of each of the housing sections I and 2. Each housing section includes a substantially centrally arranged projecting portion which jointly constitute the operating lever fulcrum represented at 12 and with respect to which the end of operating lever 5 pivots.

8 intermediate the end of the housing and the gripping lever i, and the compression coil spring It] intermediate the washer member II and the gripping lever 9. The compression coil springs 8' and It, washer member II, and gripping lever 9 all surround the rod member 4. The operating lever fulcrum i2 also acts as a retaining post against which the washer member ll is seated.

The gripping member 9 is apertured to Sc for the passage of rod member 4 and is provided with diagonally opposite gripping portions 9b and which grip rod 4 and maintain rod 4 in the position to which the rod has been displaced underthe action of the rocking of operating lever 5 with respect to operating lever fulcrum l2. The gripping lever 9 extends vertically through an opening 2f in the housing formed by comp1e-- mentary recesses in the housing sections I and 2..

The openings 2e and 2 are separated by a transr versely extending closure 2g formed by members:

on housing sections i and 2 directed toward each other. The end of gripping lever 9 is provided with a projection 9d which extends into a recess 2h in the base of the housing where the end wall of the recess serves as a fulcrum about which gripping lever 9 may angularly shift.

As represented in Fig. 1 the rod member 4 is slidable through the adjustable head represented at l as explained in connection with Figs. 10-16. The end of the rod member 4 extends into the anchor or header M which is provided with a driving head 15 protected by annular ring member l6 for driving the insertable pins or nails H into the sub-flooring represented at I 8 supported on rafters !9. Rod member 4 is secured in the header [4 by suitable set screw means 20. The removable pins or nails I! are removably secured in header [4 by suitable set screws 2i. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, the finish flooring of the tongue and groove type as represented at 22 laid over the sub-flooring l8, and against which a compressive force is exerted by engagement of the front end 23 of the adjustable header with the edge of the finish flooring 22. It will be observed that the force or pressure is applied on a substantially straight line from the anchor or header !4 to the work 22, so that there is no tendency to raise or buckle the work. However, in the application of force the location and the angle of impingement of the anchor teeth H is not changed.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the tool of my invention applied to the application of a finish flooring 22 directly upon rafters IE? without the interposition of the sub-flooring. It will again be observed that the application of force is in a substantially straight line. In this instance the header or anchor I4 is driven directly into the joists I9. As shown more particularly in Fig. 9 the anchor may be constituted by four pins or nails H The housing also incloses the compression coil spring;

anew-s ibutis not to be limited in'thi's regard. The teeth ornails ll may be inserted in tandem when anchoring, to a joist, studding' or rafter or other narrow section, as represented in Fig. 2, or they may be set side byside when used on sub-flooring, as represented in Fig. 1. This header or anchor section it may be formed of soft material such as lead, aluminum, etc, so as not to injure hammersand other tools when used to secure the anchor, When soft metal is used the anchor a protecting'ring of steel or other hard metal represented at it may be provided to prevent the splitting of the anchor in the process of s curing the teeth of the anchor to the object. It will be readily seen that when the anchor teeth ii are secured in the studding, joists, rafters or sub-floorings, the pressure maybe applied against the work 22 (Figs. 1 and 2) and becausethere is'available length on rod member 3 substantial amount of movement for tightening the work is available.

When the o eration required. is to draw the structural sections or members together, the free anchor 2ft may be placed on the end of rod-d in'the direction of the travel of the head or body section 5 and the tool parts 26 and i spaced until they are on the outside of the two structural sections 25 to be moved (see 3), whence by actuating the propulsion mechanism of adjustable header 4 the two structural sections 25 are drawn together the required amount and can be secured in any conventional manner. The free anchor i l-is secured to rod member i by means of set screw 2 5a.

When the tool is used to straighten structural sections, such as studding, joists, rafters, etc., and where such members are sprung towards each pther and the movement required is to spread them apart, as represented b rafters in Fig. i, the free anchor may be substituted for the anchor hi and by placing anchor 24 and adjustable header 5 between the members 25 to be spread (Fig. l) and by then actuating the handle 8 of the travel mechanism of adjustable header 5, pressure is applied between the two members 25 and they are then spread the desired amount at which time they can be secured and held in that position.

In the operation of the adjustable header,

movement of the hand operating lever 5 toward the right (Figs. -12) rocks tongue 5 about operating lever fulcrum i2 and advances rod member l toward the left by the gripping relation of gripping lever B and rod member ii. Stepby-step increments of movement may thus be imparted to rod member i. Gripping lever l is restored by spring 8 to a fresh position of engagement as the operating lever 6 is restored to the right, but rod member i is maintained in gripped position during the return stroke of operating lever 55 by means of gripping lever 9 under the action of spring it). After rod memher 4 has been advanced to the left for the full limit of its travel, gripping lever ii is moved to a vertical position disengaging rod member 4 and allowing it to freely return to the right.

The applicator face 23 of the adjustable header I is quite broad as represented in Fig. 17, and presents a wide face for the transmission of the forces required for either contraction or expansion.

While I have described the tool of my invention in one of its preferred embodiments I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations uponuiyinvenuonare intendeddther thanhiay be imposed by the sco'pe' of "the appended "claims.

ping said'r'od member comprising a housing for the passage of 'sa'i'djrod member, an operating lever runrum in'said housing, an operating lever extending 'i'nto'said housing and around said Ifdd ihemberand pivoted on'said'operating lever fulcrum on the side opposite its point of entryfinto said housing, a gripping 'membersurroundirig said'r'od member'and actuated by said operating lever and spring means i'ntrposedbetween'said housing and said gripping'member.

'2 An expansion and contraction 'to'ol coniprisin'g'a rodin'ember, headers attach'ableto 'opposits en'dsof'said'rod member one of sai'd'headers including means 'for adj u'stabl'y gripping said rod member comprising'a housing for the passage of said rod member, an 'ope'r'atin lever fulcrum in said housing, an operating lever'extending into saidho'using and around "said rod member and pivoted on said operatinglever fulcrum on the side opposite its point of entry-into said housing, a gripping member surrounding said rod member and actuated by said operating lever, spring -means interposed between said ping member engaging said rod member ata position spaced longitudinally fromthe position at which said first-mentioned gripping member engages said rod member.

3. A contraction and expansion tool comprising a rod member, a header member fixed to said rod member, and a header member movable step-by-step along said rod member, said last mentioned header member including a substantially hollow housing through which said rod member extends, an operating lever fulcrum projecting upwardly substantially centrally of said housing, an operating lever extending substantially vertically into said housing and having an opening adjacent the end thereof through which said rod member extends and terminating in a tongue-like extension bearing against said operating lever fulcrum as a pivot on the side opposite the point of entry of said operating lever into said housing, a gripping member engageable with said rod member and movable under control of said operating lever for advancing said rod member in step-by-step increments, spring means interposed between one end of said housing and said gripping member and an auxiliary gripping member engageable with said rod member during the intervals that said first mentioned gripping member is disengaged therefrom.

4. A contraction and expansion tool comprising a rod member, a header member fixed to said rod member, and a header member movable step-by-step along said rod member, said lastmentioned header member including a substantially hollow housing through which said rod member extends, an operating lever fulcrum projecting upwardly substantially centrally of said housing, an operating lever extending substantially vertically into said housing and having an opening adjacent the end thereof through which said rod member extends and terminating in a tongue-like extension bearing against said operating lever fulcrum as a pivot on the side opposite the point of entry of said operating lever into said housing, a gripping member engageable with said rod member and movable under control of said operating lever for advancing said rod member in step-by-step increments, spring means interposed between one end of said housing and said gripping member, a recess formed in the base of said housing intermediate the opposite end of said housing and said operating lever fulcrum, an auxiliary gripping member extending upwardly through said housing and having an opening therein for the passage of said rod member and a tongue thereon projecting into said recess and pivoted against one side of the recess as a fulcrum, and spring means interposed between said operating lever fulcrum and said auxiliary gripping member whereby said auxiliary gripping member operates to maintain the position of said rod member while said first mentioned gripping member is being progressively moved to successive gripping and moving positions.

5. A contraction and expansion tool compris ing a rod member, a header member fixed to said rod member, and a header member movable step-by-step along said rod member, said last mentioned header member including a substantially hollow housing through which said rod member extends, an operating lever fulcrum projecting upwardly substantially centrally of said housing, an operating lever extending substantially vertically into said housing and having an opening adjacent the end thereof through which said rod member extends and terminating in a tongue-like extension bearing against said operating lever fulcrum as a pivot on the side opposite the point of entry of said operating lever into said housing, a gripping member engageable with said rod member and movable under control of said operating lever for advancing said rod member in step-by-step increments, spring means interposed between one end of said housing and said gripping member, an auxiliary gripping member projecting upwardly from said housing and pivoted therein with an opening therein for the passage of said rod member, and spring means interposed between said operating lever fulcrum and said auxiliary gripping member, the opening in said operating lever being formed by substantially cylindrical internal wall portions throughout one portion of the efifective length of the opening and angularly inclined internal wall portions throughout the remainder of the effective length of the opening whereby said operating lever may be canted on said rod member to move said first mentioned gripping member in step-by-step increments and slide freely over said rod member to a restored position preparatory to a succeeding advancing stroke while said auxiliary gripping member holds said rod member in the advanced position thereof.

HERBERT D. LA MONT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 746,123 Morehouse Dec. 8, 1903 1,024,860 Kline Apr. 30, 1912 2,174,439 Groves Sept. 26, 1939 2,222,910 Luckner Nov. 26, 1940 2,262,429 Luckner Nov. 11, 1941 2,323,144 Long June 29, 1943 

